There’s something about piloting a gadget a few hundred feet above their heads that drone enthusiasts love. Perhaps it’s the droning whir of the blades on a quadcopter elevating it into the air, or maybe there’s something about understanding the sometimes complex remote control panel (complex would be an understatement for some drone controllers) that gives them a better kick than completing all of Candy Crush’s 2,155 levels. But every drone enthusiast will at some point over the course of practising his hobby attach a GoPro camera to it to get a bird’s eye view of the land. Unfortunately for that drone enthusiast, operating a drone with a camera is illegal in the UAE and has been for more than 9 months to the surprise of many.
The rules came into force last April, a few months after recreational drones strayed on to flight paths at Dubai airport and grounded passenger planes. The problem with the ban is that most drones come with inbuilt cameras, and because it is not possible to register with the authority at the point of sale. Needless to say if you have any plans to take a timelapse of Dubai’s highways from high up, you’ll need to rent a chopper.
“Only a limited number of private drone operators have knowledge of the law regarding entering civil airspace, air traffic control and avoidance procedures and safety issues surrounding that.”
– Mohammed Al Dossari of the GCAA.
Authorities will also launch a campaign this year to educate consumers on the rules surrounding piloting a drone as well as publishing a map that will show no fly zones for drones. The exact reason why cameras are being banned is still up for interpretation, though it is probably due to the perceived intrusion of privacy one might feel at the thought of drones armed with cameras floating a few dozen feet above us.
Meanwhile, about 40 teams will compete at the UAE Drones for Good Award in the semi-final stage of the national and international categories on February 4, with a US$1 million (Dh3.67m) first prize in the international and Dh1m national categories up for grabs.
Even further down the road is the upcoming World Drone Prix.
Source: The National
